Building construction



Nov. 19, 1935.

A. G. RAISCH BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 29, 1935 1 VENTOR.

64 Q/ZW ATTORNEY Nov. 19, 1935. A. G. RAISCH 2,021,637

BUIL-DING CONSTRUCTION v Filed May 29, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR- am a M94 5' .5 .5 BY

6M wwmm. ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 19, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Albert G. Raisch, San Francisco, Calif. Application May 29, 1935, Serial No. 24,029

2 Claims.

This invention relates to the building of hollow wall structures and the like by means of interlocking slabs, and particularly to improvements in the structure disclosed in Patent Number 1,240,492, entitled Building construction issued September 18, 1917; and Patent Number 1,378,- 139, entitled Wall construction issued May 1'7, 1921.

The object of the present'invention is generally to improve and simplify the construction and operation of structures of the character described; to provide a hollow wall structure which is adapted to be built of two kinds of slabs, to-wit, a longitudinally extending wall slab and a transverse spacing and interlocking slab; to provide a novel interlocking means between the respective kinds of slabs; to provide a transverse slab which may be so positioned with relation to the longitudinal wall slab that it will interlock with relation to the same and secure them in a vertical position and in straight alignment and which will function also as a form to permit insertion of reinforcing rods and the pouring of concrete wall studs whereby the Wall strength is increased and a further interlock obtained between the slabs; to provide a slab structure which permits the formation of solid reinforced concrete corners; and, further, to provide a slab structure which permits the formation of poured concrete sill plates formed integral with the poured studs and corners.

The construction of the slabs and the manner in which they are assembled in a wall structure is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a portion of a' wall structure;

Fig. 2 is a cross section showing a portion of a first floor wall and a portion of a second story wall;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the longitudinally extending wall slabs;

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the transversely disposed wall slabs;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of the transverse wall slab;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a completed wall structure, a portion of said side elevation being in section; v

Fig. 7 is a front view of one of the longitudi- Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly Fig. 3, A indicates in general a. slab formed of concrete or a similar material which, in this instance, will be referred to as one of the longitudinally extending slabs. The slab in gen- 5 eral is T-shaped inasmuch as it has a pair of laterally extending lugs or arms 2 -2 and a central, vertically extending leg portion 3. The edges of the slab are beveled as shown, this bevel being of importance as it forms one portion of 10 an interlock between the slabs which will hereinafter be described, and it also forms a key for a plaster surface or for putting the joints between the slabs where that type of finish is desired.

There are two types of slabs used in the construction of a wall. The T-shaped longitudinally positioned slab shown in Fig. 3 and the slab shown in Fig. 4; this slab will hereinafter be referred to as the transversely disposed wall slab. 20 It is also constructed of concrete or a similar material and it consists of a. main slab portion B having a pair of laterally extending lugs l 4. These lugs are dove-tail shaped in cross section, the angle of the dove-tailing being substantially 25 the same as that of the edges of the slabs indicated at A. It will further be stated that the length of the lugs 41 is substantially the same as the length of the legs 3. This is also important as an interlock will thus be formed between each 30 lug 4 and each leg 3 of the slab A when they are placed in the correct position in the wall.

In actual practice when awall is togbe built the slabs are assembled as shown in Fig. 1. Commencing at the corner of the wall, the slab 35 indicated at A is placed with the lug downwardly and the arms 22 uppermost. A pair of slabs B are then placed inside of the slab A with the lugs 4 extending downwardly and as these engage the leg of the slab A they will interlock 40 therewith and secure it in upright position; that is, the slab A will be secured in upright position so that it can not fall outwardly nor inwardly, outward movement of the slab A being taken care of by the angular faces of the leg and the 45 interlocking angular faces of the lugs 4 and interior movement of the slab A cannot take place, as it will rest against the ends 55 of the slabs B. An inner slab A, see Fig. 1, is next placed in position in the same manner as the first slab A. 50 A second set of longitudinally extending slabs A and A are then placed in the wall with the leg portions upwardly and the arms downwardly. In other words'in a reversed position with relation to the slabs indicated at A and A. A sec- 55 ond set of cross slabs B and B are then placed in position, but they are reversed with relation to the slabs B. That is, the lugs 4-4 are placed uppermost and the ends 55 at the lower end. The next set of longitudinally extending slabs will be placed in the same position as the slabs A and A and the next set will then be reversed to assume the position of the slabs shown at A and A and the wall may be continued.

By positioning the longitudinally extending slabs and the transverse slabs as here shown, all of the slabs become interlocked and they are held in alignment with relation to each other and at right angles with relation to each other and they are tied or interlocked against movement in any direction. Three, four, or as many courses may be laid on top of each other as may be desired. Reinforcing rods will then be placed in the spaces indicated at 0 between the transverse slabs B and B and concrete will then be poured and this concrete, when set, will form the studding of the wall structure; these studs being clearly shown at C in Fig. 6. i The pouring of the concrete to form the studs accomplishes three functions: First of all it materially reinforces and strengthens the wall as a whole: secondly, it will strengthen the interlock between the slabs as a certain amount of concrete will escape out between the joints and set or harden therein; and third, it will form studs to support an upper story, a roof, or whatever the case may be.

After a wall has been built to the height desired and if it is decided to add a second story, the arms 2-2 of the longitudinal slabs will be broken oif along the dotted lines shown at 6-6 in Fig. 3 to form horizontal slabs 1 to be placed on top of the longitudinal and the transverse slabs and in the spaces between the studs form boards, such as indicated by dotted lines at 88 in Fig. 2, are then secured to the wall and a one by four wooden strip is nailed to the upper edge of the inner board as indicated at 9. Concrete is then poured between the boards up to the level of the upper face of the board 9 and when this concrete is poured it will run down into the spaces provided for the studs C and it will cover the slabs up to a predetermined height, thus forming a sill to receive the slabs 10 of the second floor.

After the concrete, which is poured between the boards 8-8 and 9 has set, the slabs H] are placed in position. The outer slab is flush with the outer surface of the wall and the inner slab is flush with the inner edge of the board 9. An offset shoulder is thus formed to receive the floor joists II,- the board 9 permitting toe-nailing of the joists to temporarily secure them in position until further frame is placed and secured. The wall of the second floor will be built in the same manner as the first floor.

In most instances before starting the form structure a concrete foundation Will be poured as shown at D in Fig. l, and two of the slabs will be placed on top thereof. After the first course of slabs has been placed in position a small amount of concrete will be poured in the hollow spaces between them as indicated at II, this being important as it will anchor the hollow wall tothe foundation and prevent longitudinal or lateral movement thereof. The same is true when the slabs are laid to form the walls of the second floor; that is, the slabs Ill-10 are placed on top of the sill which has been poured and when one course is laid a small amount of That is, where two walls join each other, asv

shown in that figure, an inverted corner will be left. Form boards, such as shown in dotted lines at l3 and M, are then placed in position and are tied with relation to a two by four timber I5 placed against the inner corner of the wall.

Reinforcing rods may then be inserted and concrete poured and reinforced rigid corners are obtained which obviously will be interlocked with the reinforcing steel or iron in the studs and in the sill plates.

While the form of interlocking lugs shown at I 4 3 in Fig. 4 is desirable, the form of interlocking lug shown at 4a. in Fig. 5 may also be employed. That is, only one face of each lug is beveled to interlock with the beveled edges of the longitudinally extending slabs, this being sufficient in certain structures. After a wall structure has been completed the exterior surface may be finished by putting up the joints formed between the slabs by cement, mortar, or a similar material. In other instances it may be desired to give the outer face a stucco finish. In that instance cement plaster, or the like will be employed. The joints between the slabs will then be utilized as an anchorage for the finishing material. The inner surface may be similarly finished or plastered as desired.

Wall structures constructed of slabs of this character have heretofore been attempted but many of them have been condemned as means were not provided for increasing the structural tensile and compression strengths, nor were adequate provisions made to resist against shear moments and diagonal stresses. The present wall structure embodies the advantages of increased stability, increased shear resistance, increased resistance to diagonal stresses, these advantages being. obtained by the use of the interlocking connection formed between the cross slabs and the longitudinally extending slabs and by the method of forming the studs, the corners, and the sills. The method of interlocking the slabs, furthermore, insures permanent and correct alignment and uniform distribution of the superimposed loads transmitted through beams, studs and other appurtenances of accepted methods of construction.

It has also been found in the present construction that with the proper regulation and control of various concrete mixes that the wedge-shaped, dove-tailed sections formed on the slabs permits a distribution between the tensile and compressive stresses whereby the greatest force resultants are exerted on these sections in the way of com-- pression rather than tensile strength, and according to the well established fact that concrete in compression is from eight to ten times stronger than in tension, this stress distribution becomes one of the important features of the design.

The slabs here shown are of exceedingly simple construction and lend themselves to quantity production by steel molds or the like. This is also of further importance as it permits the formation of slabs of uniform shape and dimension.

Another important feature embodied in the design of the wedge shaped or dove-tail section is that the shearing resistance is greatly increased, since the wedge shape or dove-tail section is cast integral with the body or panel to which it is joined on the inside and outside walls.

Another feature of the wedge shape or dovetail design is that it will permit to a minimum degree a reasonable but practicable amount of angular adjustment when erecting the wall structure and before the vertical columns or studs are cast within the enclosed spaces provided for same.

Another important feature of the wedge shape, dove-tail design is that it efiectively prevents spreading of the wall panels on either the top or bottom sections due to the use of filling materials, such as sand, concrete, sawdust, etc., whereby the horizontal joints and the alignment of adjacent panels will provide mechanically true, fiat surface sections over large areas, which provide the necessary stability and rigidity for the application of interior wall plasters and exterior plaster coats or paint coats without distortion upon the applied decorative coats.

Another important feature of the wedge shape, dove-tail design is that less mortar materials will be required in the joining or adjacent horizontal and transverse tile sections, since the wedge shape, dovetail design practically completely interlocks with the full dimensional volume of the sloping or tapering recesses formed by the adjacent side panels.

The wedge shape or dove-tail section, applied to any concrete structural tile or panel, necessarily implies a corresponding wedge shape or dove-tail opening into which the same may fit or be engaged. Therefore it is the purpose of this application to embrace all shapes, styles and designs of concrete masses wherein any portion of any surface, edge or section has attached thereto a wedge shape or dove-tail member, section of projection, by means of which same may be engaged within a corresponding recess or opening for engaging, anchoring or securing the same.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. In a hollow wall structure of the character described two sets of slabs, one set extending.

longitudinally of the wall and spaced apart to form inner and outer faces of the hollow wall, said slabs being T-shaped and placed in the wall with the arms of the T horizontally and the legs vertically, said legs and arms presenting beveled edges, said second set of slabs being placed transversely in the wall at each end of the T-shaped slabs, and lugs at each side of the transverse slabs, said lugs having a length substantially equal to the legs of the T-shaped slabs, and interlocking therewith throughout their length.

2. In a hollow wall structure of the character described two sets of slabs, one set extending longitudinally of the wall and spaced apart to form inner and outer faces of the hollow wall, said slabs being T-shaped and placed in the wall with the arms of the T horizontally and the legs vertically, said legs and arms presenting beveled edges, said second set of slabs being placed transversely in the wall at each end of the T-shaped slabs, and lugs at each side of the transverse slabs, said lugs having a length substantially equal to the legs of the T-shaped slabs and being wedge-shaped in cross section to interlock with the beveled edges on the legs of the T-shaped slabs.

ALBERT G. RAISCH. 

